[B]What to wear to an interview when it is COLD?[/B]

[mln]

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[Shredder]

you cant bolden a thread title--nice try though

muffler? sorry all i had to add was the bold comment

 

[the negative 1]

I just got an interview at Creighton in Nebraska for January. I'm from the hot desert of Tucson, and don't know how to dress professionally in the cold.

-I have a nice pair of high heels - Can you walk in these in the snow? If not, do you wear boots and change into heels right before the interview?

-If wearing a black suit, is it okay to wear an camel wool/cashmere overcoat? What would you do with the overcoat during your interviews?

-What about scarves and mittens?

-How do you keep your legs warm in a skirt suit with nylons?

Any help from people who have interviewed in the cold would be helpful. I'm just not sure whether you're supposed to grin and bear the cold in a suit, or if outerwear is okay.

Thanks!
Melissa

I can't really say much about high heels or nylons, though I would not recommend high heels in snow. But it depends on the conditions and whether or not paths are cleared.

Wearing an overcoat is perfectly fine. You can probably just dump it in the admissions office if you want or simply hang it over a chair during an interview. Nobody's going to care.

 

[LizzyM]

I see about 30-50 applicants per week in a cold climate. When the weather is frightful, most of the women wear black pant suits (think Hillary Clinton). With these you can wear short, heeled boots that will protect your feet and look professional. Barring that, you can wear boots & change into shoes for the interview. We do it all the time. An interviewer will have a coat closet or somewhere to hang your coat. Otherwise, drape it over the back of the chair.

You will need a hat and gloves or mittens. A scarf (muffler) is a good idea if you would otherwise have an exposed neck/upper chest (depending on the cut and neckline of your coat). Ask around or browse the interview section of studentdoctor.net to find out how much walking/touring there is outside.

 

[ShyRem]

I just got an interview at Creighton in Nebraska for January. I'm from the hot desert of Tucson, and don't know how to dress professionally in the cold.

-I have a nice pair of high heels - Can you walk in these in the snow? If not, do you wear boots and change into heels right before the interview?

While I haven't yet interviewed in the cold, I grew up in Pennsylvania, went to school the first time in Massachusetts, and now live in Colorado. So: I advise AGAINST walking in the snow in heels. Heeled shoe soles tend to be slippery and lack sufficient traction. Also, snow and salt (many cold areas use salt in cold weather) will ruin dress shoes. The heel may be good to use as an 'ice spike', but unless you're very comfortable with that, I wouldn't attempt it. This particular technique also ruins the heels of your shoes. Falling and ripping your suit because of your heels is always a bad move. Me? I would definitely wear boots and change into my heels for indoor walking. Or get a pair of decent looking winter boots you can just keep on.

-If wearing a black suit, is it okay to wear an camel wool/cashmere overcoat? What would you do with the overcoat during your interviews?

I would think a camel wool/cashmere coat would be just fine. Heck, if you don't want it, I'll take it (I don't have a cashmere coat)! Most schools have hangers in the interviewee waiting room for coats. If I get a winter interview, I'll be wearing a bright red wool winter coat. Goes with my red leather insulated gloves.

-What about scarves and mittens?

Scarves tuck into the sleeve of your coat - make sure some of the scarf is dangling out of the sleeve on the inside of the coat to keep the scarf from falling onto the floor. Mittens/gloves go in the pockets.

-How do you keep your legs warm in a skirt suit with nylons?

You don't, unfortunately, and your legs will definitely freeze. Your best bet is a long winter coat or a pantsuit. Also, be aware that slush/dirt spots on the back of your nylons is particularly unattractive (and unavoidable if you wear just shoes) and doesn't wash out well in the washroom while you're wearing the nylons. Boots are definitely in order here for walking outside.

Good luck!

 

[mln]

What is the "sleeve" of the coat? The only scarf I have is cream colored, but with a black suit and camel coat...? Is that too many combos? Also, do you just carry your heels around when you walk outside? I can't afford another suit, so pants are out of the question.

Thanks for the advice. I've only seen snow once in my life and it didn't stick, so I've never walked around in it or been in temperatures colder than 30 degrees.

While I haven't yet interviewed in the cold, I grew up in Pennsylvania, went to school the first time in Massachusetts, and now live in Colorado. So: I advise AGAINST walking in the snow in heels. Heeled shoe soles tend to be slippery and lack sufficient traction. Also, snow and salt (many cold areas use salt in cold weather) will ruin dress shoes. The heel may be good to use as an 'ice spike', but unless you're very comfortable with that, I wouldn't attempt it. This particular technique also ruins the heels of your shoes. Falling and ripping your suit because of your heels is always a bad move. Me? I would definitely wear boots and change into my heels for indoor walking. Or get a pair of decent looking winter boots you can just keep on.


I would think a camel wool/cashmere coat would be just fine. Heck, if you don't want it, I'll take it (I don't have a cashmere coat)! Most schools have hangers in the interviewee waiting room for coats. If I get a winter interview, I'll be wearing a bright red wool winter coat. Goes with my red leather insulated gloves.


Scarves tuck into the sleeve of your coat - make sure some of the scarf is dangling out of the sleeve on the inside of the coat to keep the scarf from falling onto the floor. Mittens/gloves go in the pockets.


You don't, unfortunately, and your legs will definitely freeze. Your best bet is a long winter coat or a pantsuit. Also, be aware that slush/dirt spots on the back of your nylons is particularly unattractive (and unavoidable if you wear just shoes) and doesn't wash out well in the washroom while you're wearing the nylons. Boots are definitely in order here for walking outside.

Good luck!

 

[ShyRem]

What is the "sleeve" of the coat? The only scarf I have is cream colored, but with a black suit and camel coat...? Is that too many combos? Also, do you just carry your heels around when you walk outside? I can't afford another suit, so pants are out of the question.

Thanks for the advice. I've only seen snow once in my life and it didn't stick, so I've never walked around in it or been in temperatures colder than 30 degrees.

The sleeve - that thing you stick your arm through. When you take your coat off, grasp the middle of your scarf in your hand. Bring your hand and the scarf through the sleeve as you take off the coat. Let go of the scarf after your hand is clear of the sleeve, leaving about 6" of scarf dangling into the body of the coat.

Cream scarf will be fine. Cream goes with everything.

Heels. Carry them or tuck them into your purse/satchel. You may want to carry them in a plastic bag to protect them from wetness (but I usually either tuck them into my purse/bag or put the shoes together with the soles out, toe tucked into the heel of the opposite shoe).

 

[gdbaby]

-I have a nice pair of high heels - Can you walk in these in the snow? If not, do you wear boots and change into heels right before the interview?

-If wearing a black suit, is it okay to wear an camel wool/cashmere overcoat? What would you do with the overcoat during your interviews?

-What about scarves and mittens?

-How do you keep your legs warm in a skirt suit with nylons?

I am interviewing there on Friday, here's what I am doing:
--I am wearing a pants suit (would rather be in a skirt, but it would be cold walking outside in it) with some kick ass heels that I just bought in Portland. However, I will be taking them off for the tour and wearing my kick ass running shoes and putting them back on for the interview.

--Wearing a wool overcoat, periwinkle blue, smashing. Hat, scarf, leather gloves. There will be a room where you can put all your stuff. Most schools are accomodating that way since some people will probably even have their luggage with them.

--If you insist on wearing a skirt, may I suggest going to a thrift store and scoring yourself some 1980's leg warmers ala Olivia Newton John in "Let's Get Physical" or the Jane Fonda Workout videos. Now that gives me an idea about still wearing my skirt....

Good luck. I will post my interview feedback asap after Friday. I hear its a long day and I am doing the dinner with med students thing on Friday night, so I will probably post on Saturday.

 

[Dr.Pdizzle]

Any help from people who have interviewed in the cold would be helpful.

Thanks!
Melissa

This may seem a bit outlandish, but I'd recommend wearing nothing but a thong; you'll stand out from the crowd and it will show the interviewers that you are fearless, free spirited individual.

PS: I use this trick all the time (only I go completely nude--I don't have any thongs) for interviews and get a lot of feedback from it, it's great.

 

[AL112934]

Outerwear is totally okay! You will definitely need it! I just interviewed at Creighton last friday, and also coming from the desert of AZ, I sense your fear of the cold.

I would definitely recommend a long overcoat, a pair of gloves and a scarf. During your actual interview, they have a closet to put away your coat. I think wearing your suit and your overcoat should be sufficient, except when the gush of cold wind comes across your face.....

The walk between the school and hospital is a good 10 min of walking outside!

I would also recommend wearing boots if you have it, they will keep your feet warmer, but I did see some girls wearing heels.

hope this helps.

Good luck!

 

[Sansfrontier]

Any help for the guys? Overcoat over your suit jacket?

 

[mln]

Any help for the guys? Overcoat over your suit jacket?

Overcoats on men look so amazing.

Thanks to everyone for the help.

 

[Maxprime]

I have to go medical here . The biggest heat loss is through the head, get a scarf and coat and you should be all set.